Net Zero & Nature Positive Theatre (Keynote)

Hong Kong’s Economic Fabric as a Conduit for Biodiversity Protection

Day 1 : 15:00 – 15:50

Full Programme
Net Zero & Nature Positive Theatre (Keynote)

Hong Kong has an outsized ecological footprint. Yet its strategic position as a trade and financial centre offers a unique opportunity for businesses to work with regulators, conservationists and other stakeholders to capitalize on our economic fabric, and drive a role for the city as a global leader for biodiversity protection.

Learnings

  • Many of Hong Kong’s leading sectors, such as transport, logistics, finance and technology, touch on nature. Yet their direct and indirect impact on biodiversity remains poorly understood.
  • How can businesses identify supply chain vulnerabilities, and address legal, financial, reputational and associated risks?
  • How can leading companies in Hong Kong work to enhance policies, business practices, and oversight, and engage internal and external stakeholders to navigate biodiversity protection across multiple industries and geographies?

Post-Event Actions

  • Rethink the state of play in Hong Kong, and how your company and industry can examine and address vulnerabilities in your value chain, and contribute to transforming Hong Kong as a global leader in combating biodiversity loss.

Speakers

Christine Loh

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment

Christine Loh is Chief Development Strategist at Institute for the Environment at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Scholar in Residence at Asia Society Hong Kong (2023-25). She serves on the boards of New Forests Pty Limited, and Towngas Smart Energy. She is a published author of many academic and popular works.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

To develop transdisciplinary studies with real world context.

Speaking at:

Day 1

Advances in Climate Science: Fine-Scale Projection for Managing Extreme Risks in Asia’s Cities

Day 2

Rethinking Water: Securing Hong Kong’s Liquid Lifeline Beyond the Burn: Rethinking Sports in Hong Kong’s Boiling Era Financing for Nature: Investing in Biodiversity Across the Indo-Pacific Corridor The Great Debate: This House Believes AI is the Most Impactful Tool in a Business’s Sustainability Strategy

Sam Inglis

ADM Capital Foundation

Wildlife Programme Manager

Sam is the Wildlife Programme Manager for the ADM Capital Foundation, where he oversees projects on wildlife trade and crime. An experienced researcher, Sam has worked on a range of environmental issues in Asia, including water security, cryospheric change and wildlife trade. He continues to develop the Foundation’s research on Hong Kong’s impacts on global biodiversity, engages the private sector on combatting converging wildlife & organised crimes, and contributes to policy discussions

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

Continued expert engagement with policy makers and agencies to complement and fill gaps and loopholes in wildlife trade policies, and render existing policies more impactful through better enforcement

Speaking at:

Day 1

Tracking the Trade: Transparent Supply Chains to Combat Wildlife Trafficking

Melanie Kwok 郭鎧怡

Sino Group Assistant General Manager and Head of Sustainability

Melanie is the Assistant General Manager (Sustainability) and the Head of Sustainability of Sino Group. She oversees a range of sustainability projects related to ESG. Being a specialist in the realm of Sustainable Development for nearly 20 years, Melanie has also gained extensive experiences in Sustainable Tourism and Stakeholder Engagement.
Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Management from the Imperial College London, a Master Degree of Science in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Master Degree in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge. She is also a certified Sustainable Tourism Professional by Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Melanie is serving various public duties, including the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC)’s Environment & Sustainability Committee, a member of the Publicity Working Group of Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC), a sub-committee member on Youth and Capacity Building of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, HKSAR Government and a member of the Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund (RFAC) of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, HKSAR Government.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024

Joining hands with our stakeholders in creating better lifescapes.

Alistair Monument

ISEAL

Director, Programmes

Alistair Monument joined ISEAL in August this year to support credible and effective sustainability systems through robust practices, multistakeholder engagement and supply chain solutions at a global scale. Alistair leads the Impacts and Innovations Programme, driving impact on climate, biodiversity, livelihoods and human rights while also helping to shape strategy and build global partnerships.

Before, he was WWF International’s Conservation Impact Director in Asia Pacific, supporting regional and national teams to build impactful strategies, partnerships and programmes. He previously served as Global Forest Practice leader for WWF, as the Asia Pacific Director for FSC and was the founding Director of ASI. Alistair has expertise across fields including conservation, forestry, climate, labour rights, land rights, development, standards and certification.

Speaking at:

Day 2

The Vital Role of Food Systems in Sustainability

Martin Putnam

Senior Manager, Biodiversity, Sustainability

Martin is an experienced sustainability professional with over 25 years experience driving and implementing practical and effective sustainability programmes, primarily in Hong Kong.Martin had a key role in the environmental planning for HKIA’s expansion into a 3-runway system, including securing an Environmental Permit for the mega-project and working to implement far reaching mitigation and enhancement commitments during project implementation. A key focus now is supporting the establishment of a much expanded marine protected area in N. Lantau waters together with implementing broad ranging enhancement initiatives intended to add value to nearby marine habitats.

In addition to working on biodiversity challenges, Martin previously led the design and roll out of an airport-wide carbon footprint and emissions reduction programme at HKIA, establishing a partnering and engagement approach across the airport business community to leverage a reduced airport environmental footprint.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

Ever hopeful for real, collective, international progress on driving reduced environmental impacts in the context of increasingly ambitious yet often conveniently distant targets. On a personal scale, trying to make better choices and decisions in day to day life to better address local environmental impacts that I can control or influence.

Supported by

With thanks to